Tail of the Dragon Number 12 Bucket List Registration Is OPEN

[TCurtner]

It's been done, talk to Matt C. He usually leads the crazy-fast group. He lives up on that road.

he's usually in the 9.5 range. Does never disrespect the lanes.

Me - i am going the speed limit (if possible considering traffic) - so i won't be 'leading'

[TCurtner]

OK, DECISION TIME. We have - of course at nearly the last minute for route planning - decided to appease everyone and do two different routes on Saturday June 3. I am sending out emails to all the participants (those that are signed up for the event officially). We are going to do both the Maggie Valley Cruise as originally planned, we are adding another more dedicated Tail Of the Dragon run - multiple times - with a lunch stop at Fontana Village - for those that want to maximize their Dragon time. FOR THOSE THAT ARE REGISTERED, please check your emails as there are links included, both for the planned route, and also for the voting process to CHOOSE which drive you are going on (PLEASE VOTE/Choose!). FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED - please do so. Time is short.

Also included is a vote/choice about the Friday event - and your route plans...

See you soon!

[Kevan]

Hey folks! (had to post to keep my account here alive...heh heh)

I took that weekend off from racing and registered. I will be going with the BatSh!t Crazy group again this year.
If you don't want to mistakenly follow this group, please talk to myself, NoHemi (Angel), or Stretch (Jason). We will gladly make sure you get in with the correct group.
No doubt the organizers will be keeping track of us too.


To help with motivation of those who are on the fence about attending this year, please allow me a few minutes of your time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IIJNsMrlBo


See y'uns soon!

[MoparJohn]

I am attending and this will be my first time on the Dragon. I do have prior racing experience and I will defer to the more experienced drivers on which group I should go with. I would definitely like to run with a group for at least one pass who will challenge me to push harder.

[TCurtner]

I am attending and this will be my first time on the Dragon. I do have prior racing experience and I will defer to the more experienced drivers on which group I should go with. I would definitely like to run with a group for at least one pass who will challenge me to push harder.

Just ask anyone Friday or Saturday morning (if you doing the Sat Dragon route again) for Chambers - if he's there, you'll get your challenge...

[Kevan]

I am attending and this will be my first time on the Dragon. I do have prior racing experience and I will defer to the more experienced drivers on which group I should go with. I would definitely like to run with a group for at least one pass who will challenge me to push harder.

I'd HIGHLY recommend doing Friday with the "Quick Group"...just to get you up to speed (pun fully intended).
This is not a track; there's no safety gear or flag stations or anything like that. The other downside is that there's on-coming traffic. A lot of it. And a bucket load of cops (local, state, and park service) just waiting to pick people off. They have really good hideouts too; just ask Stretch & Ronnie. :-D

It's certainly not a race. There are no trophies at the end of the day. This is simply "spirited" driving with good friends.

It's very relative too: most of the actual TOTD is only 35 mph. The Quick group *might* touch 45 mph, if it's nice weather and totally clear of traffic.

Besides- Matt C. and "the King" swap holding the record through there. I don't think anyone in the BatSh!t Crazy group is trying to go sub-10 minutes through the Dragon. We're just having (controlled) fun at a slightly higher pace than the Quick group.

If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to the organizers. They're all really great people and won't BS you or sugar-coat anything.
Also, talk with some of the other TOTD veterans at the hotel/dinner/bar. I'm sure Stretch will make me tell my rookie story of this event about 6-8 times over the weekend. LOL

[dodgefever]

I am attending and this will be my first time on the Dragon. I do have prior racing experience and I will defer to the more experienced drivers on which group I should go with. I would definitely like to run with a group for at least one pass who will challenge me to push harder.

For the first time, I recommend running with the regular group Friday, If you feel the need for speed, join the Dragon group on Saturday. The road needs to be respected or it will bite, giving you a second chance only if you're lucky. There are hundreds of videos and photos on line of accidents and fatalities on the Dragon. I work with a member of the Saturn Sky Club who had one of their cars go over the edge and killed the girl in the passenger seat when her door impacted a tree. With that being said, if you know your car, know your limits, know the cars limits and learn the road, you can go pretty quick.

[CarolinaViper]

Well stated....

[XSTAR]

I am attending and this will be my first time on the Dragon. I do have prior racing experience and I will defer to the more experienced drivers on which group I should go with. I would definitely like to run with a group for at least one pass who will challenge me to push harder.

Great input by others. It's a spirited drive on a great road...you will have fun regardless. No real upside to over push...the hero times mentioned are done on off days, off times, and off season even by folks who know the road very well.

Also when running the skyway you can carry more speed, so don't forget each road can have its ways to sneak up on you. A couple years ago, 2 cars back from me in a faster group, a GTS locked up the brakes coming into a tight left hand turn and went into the ditch (thankfully very minor damage), but It can happen quick.

[MoparJohn]

Thank you all for your input. I completely agree that a public road is not a race track. I definitely want to make one or to reconnaissance passes before I make a more aggressive pass. I am not looking to set any records, but I would like to try and make a more spirited pass then simply a cruise on a cool road.

For the first time, I recommend running with the regular group Friday, If you feel the need for speed, join the Dragon group on Saturday. The road needs to be respected or it will bite, giving you a second chance only if you're lucky. There are hundreds of videos and photos on line of accidents and fatalities on the Dragon. I work with a member of the Saturn Sky Club who had one of their cars go over the edge and killed the girl in the passenger seat when her door impacted a tree. With that being said, if you know your car, know your limits, know the cars limits and learn the road, you can go pretty quick.

[jdeft1]

It's been done, talk to Matt C. He usually leads the crazy-fast group. He lives up on that road.

Well, I'll be there again and I remember people telling me "don't run with Matt! He's fast as hell". I still doubt sub 10 Dragon car runs without crossing the double yellows... I call BS. Empty road is all I need to have some fun and that doesn't happen much anymore at the dragon. The real Dragon died 15-20 years ago!

[No hemi]

Mopar Jon, Kevan said better, go by what he said and you'll have a great weekend.

[TCurtner]

It is apparent that we need to schedule a track day (or three!) at AMP (being more Dragon -like), or Road Atlanta for the next T.O.D. event. The actual U.S.129 as many have stated is not a track. It's an over-crowded two-lane/two-way traffic road with plenty of crazy drivers out to drive hard. That being said, if you go easy and just enjoy the rhythm of the curves - AND STAY IN YOUR LANE - uh...DEEP in your lane - you'll probably be fine (there is always risk) and have a great event. Please be aware of all that has been said by the conservatives amongst us. I recall driving with Matt late last year in an evening with no traffic up, and we encountered a semi truck coming down - they are strictly NOT allowed on that road now (nor were they at that time). I'm telling you, with no lane left, that experience is much too exciting for anyone. Be prepared, and drive safely and respect the limits, and watch for idiots, and going into curves stay as far into your lane as you can without being 'in the marbles ', and you'll enjoy your time on the Dragon.

[Joel]

For all you folks who think you are "go fasters" take a look at this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rGbln3J4Sg We do not condone nor advise anyone to exceed the speed limit on the Dragon. There is nothing to see and plenty to tear up if you drive over your head. No matter how fast you think you can go, we are there to have fun. For an idea of how the Dragon will look, check out this video of a guy who thinks he is going pretty fast. He is in a Corvette and he makes some pretty dumb comments but his time from Deal's Gap to the top is over 20 minutes and he was exceeding the speed limit but having fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5enx2p0SEUo Just sayin'! Take your time and enjoy! Look forward to seeing all of you in a few weeks.

And if you don't think the Dragon will bite you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K16YnmJN0fc A bit dramatic but worth a view. We won't see trucks now but in the past I've had several close calls.

[jdeft1]

I get it Joel and I'll shut up about it. Like I said, the 'real' Dragon died many years ago. I was there and I know what it was and I know it's a disappointing crowded shell of it's old self now... The fast days are gone.

[uvbnbit]

Last week, Killboy (Daryl) posted a pic of a Subaru that crossed double yellow, head on into an ambulance on it's way to help a crashed motorcyclist. smdh

[TCurtner]

Last week, Killboy (Daryl) posted a pic of a Subaru that crossed double yellow, head on into an ambulance on it's way to help a crashed motorcyclist. smdh

Yup, and then there is the fact that ALL OF US represent the Viper community to the world, at the Dragon (yes the world, because someone will video your shenanigans and then all the world WILL know), so we should man up (and/or woman up!) and drive right. What a better way to impress the community, those who enforce the law and everyone that only wishes they had a car as cool as what we drive. I guess i am preaching, but it's a good sermon for those with ears to hear...

[uvbnbit]

can't find the "like" button...lol

[hmerrittiii]

As for me I like the other roads off the dragon much more. Leave the Dragon to all this idiots that think they are going to win a Prize at the tail!

[No hemi]

wow, it certainly looks by the last posts that this conversation took a wrong turn somewhere.......

[LATAMUD]

As for me I like the other roads off the dragon much more. Leave the Dragon to all this idiots that think they are going to win a Prize at the tail!

I will win a prize.

[CarolinaViper]

Here is a list (updated 5/19/2017) of those who are attending the ToD - First Name and last initial and from what State/Region/Country

ALABAMA/TENN
Christopher C . +1
Michael S.
Todd O. +1
Thomas C. +1
Kimberly W. +1
Jim B. +1
James M. +3
Wendy M. + 1
Eddie W.
Tedd A. +3
Chuck A +1
Joel H. +1
Chip W. +1
Michael S. +1
Brad M. +1
Shelia T. +1
Steve L. +1



ARIZONA
Wallace H. +1

CANADA
Maria B. +1
John M. +1
Jason W. +1
Leon P.


CONNECTICUT
Adam M. +2

FLORIDA
Kenneth P. +1
Steven S. +1
Bart M. +1
Ryan W. +1
Michelle G. +1
Michael K. +1
David M. +1
James G. +1
Maziel A. +1
Ed L. +1

GEORGIA
Chris S. +1
Justin P. +1
Dale S. +1
Larry G. +1
Devlin R. +1

ILLINOIS
Gregory C. +1
Walter M.

INDIANA
David J. +1
Chris M. +1
Brent E. +1
Matthew O. +3
Brian A. +1
Scott T.
Debbie S. +1
Jim R.
Mansen W. +1

IOWA
Donald E. +1

KENTUCKY
Hurrol G. +1

Louisiana
Ronnie L.

MICHIGAN
Gerald C. +1
Janine K. +1
Ann R. +1
Susan A-H. +1
Robert +1
Richard J. +1

Missouri
M. Eidelman


NEW YORK
Colleen S. +1
William C. +1
Colleen S. +1

NORTH & SOUTH CAROLINA
Brian K . + 1
Bill P. +1
Ronald L. +1
Peter K. +1
Michael R. +1
Jeff B. +1
John D. +1
Larry M. +1
Patrick M. +1
Christopher G. +1
Audwin L. +1
Angel B.
Tom M + 1
Paul W.
Dave W. +1
Dan N. +1
Dan H. + 1
Al H. + 1
George N. +1
Richard H. +1
George M. +1
Hap M. +1
Matt B. +1
Adam N.

OHIO
Philipo M. +1
Andrew H. +1
Brenda M. + 1
Daniel B. +1
Kevan G.

PENN
Diane K.
Janson M.
Ron K.
Richard H.

Texas
Eric. G +1

WEST VIRGINIA
James S. +1
David H. + 1
Brian M.

(98 Vipers and 186 people)

[TCurtner]

As of this evening, here are the Saturday cruise results:
5_18_17VotingForSaturdaydrive.JPG

Please vote/choose now if you have not yet made your choice for the Saturday cruise. We are kind of down to the wire on lunch accommodations...
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p...b024dd480413bb
Thank You!
Current Talley (cars, not headcount, you can figure it out :-)) :
25 cars - Maggie Valley.
16 cars - Tail Of The Dragon.
We are running both, so just decide which one you want to do...

[Alan]

Here Ya GO! Many thanks to all who have been preparing for this event for months now! See you all there!
Alan

[Shane L.]

As of this evening, here are the Saturday cruise results:
5_18_17VotingForSaturdaydrive.JPG

Please vote/choose now if you have not yet made your choice for the Saturday cruise. We are kind of down to the wire on lunch accommodations...
http://www.easypolls.net/poll.html?p...b024dd480413bb
Thank You!
Current Talley (cars, not headcount, you can figure it out :-)) :
25 cars - Maggie Valley.
16 cars - Tail Of The Dragon.
We are running both, so just decide which one you want to do...

Has the Maggie Valley group considered running the Ratter since they will be right there at it Saturday?? A few of us run it last year and was back in plenty of time with lunch and all for the parade.Not trying to change anyone's plan's,just wondered if anyone thought of it.I respect everyone's hard work on the planning and think that the plans in place are great.